Allergic to timothy hay – any alternatives?

[usagi]

Today at the shelter I was no longer able to ignore my growing suspicion  that I am allergic to Timothy hay.  It’s time to admit it – it’s the worst thing ever.  In light of this: Lemony is still on an alfalfa-based diet, as he is only 5 months old.  HRS recommends weaning them off the alfalfa hay at 7 months, so I need to figure out something quick.  There are always allergy shots, but getting them every week might be a problem (plus more money).  Is there an alternative?  I know that there are other hays out there, but I just wanted to ask: is it ok to not give any timothy hay?  Can anyone recommend me an alternative?  Thanks for the help!  

[Moonlight_Wolf]

Yea giving no timothy hay is perfectly fine, some alternatives are meadow hay, orchard grass, and oat hay (but if I am correct oat hay is more fattening).
Many people are allergic to timothy and don’t find it a problem to get a different type of hay, as long as the bunnies like it and it is a grass hay, then it is perfectly fine!
If you really do want to give him Timothy then you could just take a allergy medication such as claritin (my mom swears by it). I currently suspect I am allergic to something (either the rabbits or the hay) but I am unwilling to change either, so I have just started taking claritin, apparently it takes some time to take effect so I have yet to experience the miracle my mom has experienced.
But there is nothing to worry about, especially if you are allergic to the hay and not the rabbit!

[jerseygirl]

Ooooo….why were you at the shelter?….

Sorry! Um, orchard grass is apparently a good alternative for hay allergy sufferers.

[usagi]

Thanks for the help, guys! @Wolfie: I had tried Allegra, but perhaps claritin is a better choice. I’m going to look into it (my mom is an allergist).

@Jerseygirl: I was at the shelter for a fundraising event: “Spa day!” and get your buns picture taken as “bunzilla.” It was awesome. We are also looking there to find a mate for Lems, and hope to go bunnydating soon. I also really, really want to volunteer there on Wednesdays… Once things calm down around here, I’m on it. I want to take them all home (but can’t), so that’s the only alternative. What a better way to spend an evening than hanging out with lots of rabbits and giving them love?! As someone in my mid-20’s, I think a lot of my contemporaries think me a bit odd, but I cannot help it. There is something about these creatures that just pulls me in like no other animal. And I grew up with a whole zoo!

A woman was telling me about one of the buns that she was fostering – the “dumper’s” kid dropped the baby, and it broke its back leg. When they found out that the leg had to be amputated, the family said “forget about it,” and never came back. Luckily, the vet was super nice and super good at what they do, and amputated the leg at their cost, and brought him to Red Door where they knew he would be safe and extremely well taken care of. I would consider a special needs bunny such as this as a mate for Lems. Not sure how he would react, but that’s what bunnydating is for! Also have my eye on a lop with bad dental problems… We shall see, Lemony decides in the end.

[jerseygirl]

We are also looking there to find a mate for Lems,

Yay! I was hoping!

I think Wendyzski on here volunteers at Red Door (?) It sounds familiar anyway. That’s great you’re considering a special needs bun. I think I may have one in my future as I am drawn to them. Theres a site catsandrabbitsandmore.com that has a disabled rabbits section. It’s a good resource.
btw, mighty handy that your Mum is an allergist!!

[wendyzski]

Hi Usagi! 

Yes I’m also in Chicago and I volunteer with Red Door.  I don’t volunteer AT Red Door because I am terribly allergic to cats, so I can’t spend much time in there at all.  I worked an adoption event for them in Park Ridge a few weeks ago and I made all the hats for the ShakesBun photos for the last Spa Day.

I’m also allergic to Timothy Hay, and have made a number of modifications to contain the hay in and around my place.  I live in Rogers Park not too far from Red Door (Corner of Clark and Wallen, a few blocks north of Clark & Devon) if you wanted to come by some time and meet me and my bun.  My Pepper has Pasteurella and it’s possible though unlikely that she could infect another bunny by direct contact, so I don’t bring her to Spa days and you probably shouldn’t bring your bun over to visit.

The next big event for Red Door is the Gimme Shelter Walk in early June, and I know i’ll be working that one – and probably with Pepper as a bunny ambassador.  Here is a pic of her at last year’s event.

[Deleted User]

Wendy, what a stunning photo of your rabbit. I just love it. Great colors — great everything! A perfect shot.

[usagi]

Hi Wendyzski! So nice to meet you on here! I would love to come and visit sometime! We are planning on participating in the Gimme Shelter walk, so we will definitely see you there! Pepper is adorable – a stunning photo indeed.

[Jenna, Chubs & Comet]

He looks like my Comet! What a handsome boy. I have been dealing with this hay issue…as I am allergic to ALL of it. I knew that going in so I dug my own grave there and I’ve just learned some ways to better manage it.
1) Handle it as little as possible, period. If you can get someone else to feed it daily and o help you clean, great! (This worked well for me until the boyfriend moved out and then I had to deal with it much more)
2) Wear a mask when you do handle it so you breathe in less of the dust. Wash hands immediately afterwards.
3) I found a place where I can buy mini bales as opposed to a bad of the pet store brand hays that come loose in a bag. It has helped IMMENSLY because it’s packed tightly and therefore has less dust!
4) If you can keep the hay in a hard wood floor/tile floow area and sweep up any mess as opposed to vacuuming it and sending the dust into the air, it’s better!

Hope that’s helpful. I am also in the process of getting allergy shots but it is expensive and I can only do it now because I got new insurance recently that almost fully covers it. We will see if it’s all it’s cracked up to be!

[BinkyBunny]

I was just talking to a customer the on the phone the other day that said she uses Orchard as that causes less allergy problems for her than the Timothy. Some people are just allergic to the grass hays, but Timothy can be a little more dusty than other hays so you might have better luck with Orchard. (which is also high in fiber and so you don’t have to worry about not feeding Timothy)

[Timber5]

We just adopted a bunny and we have a son with many allergies. So far, our mini-rex bun does not seem to be a problem for him. I am worried about the hay and have been feeding it daily but in moderation. I am thinking that I will buy orchard grass next time I am at the pet store. I was also talking to a farmer that suggested second cut of livestock hay, which they sell for $7.00 for a full bale! That would last us bunny people FOREVER.
Anyway, best of luck to you.

[Sarita]

Timber5 this post is from 2010 – we ask our members not to pull up old threads – they are no longer relevant. Going to lock this thread.

[Author]

Messages